Portable conduit bender



w. A. LAUCK 3,344,630

PORTABLE CONDUI'I BENDER v Oct. 3, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet .1 v

' Filed Dec. 21, 1964 INVENTOR WILLIAM A. LAUCK ATTORNEYS W. A. LAUCKPORTABLE CONDUIT BENDER zsheets-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1964 INVENTORATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,344,630 PORTABLE CONDUIT BENDERWilliam A. Lauck, Elyria, Ohio, assignor to Emerson Electric Co., St.Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Dec. 21, 1964, Ser. No.419,916 7 Claims. (Cl. 72-2) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The presentinvention relates to new and novel portable conduit bender apparatus,and more particularly to a portable electrically operated machine forbending metal pipes, rods and the like.

The present invention is an improvement over the portable conduit bendershown in US. Patent No. 2,921,- 619. As shown in the aforementionedpatent, a cast wheeled frame having an adjustable support for a pipe isprovided, and the supported pipe is adapted to extend between a fixedintegrally formed pipe shaping anvil or shoe means and a movable pipeshaping roller means coacting with the anvil. The roller is carriedaround bodily in an arcuate path by lever mechanism which is actuated bysuitable driven means in the form of a gear wheel. Automatic means isprovided for opening the circuit through a reversible motor whereby thebending operation is stopped, and manually controlled mechanism is alsoprovided for reversing the direction of movement of the pressing deviceso as to stop the bending operation.

The arrangement of the present invention incorporates the same generalarrangement as shown in the aforementioned patent, the principaldifference of the present invention lying in the particular orientationof the support means in the form of a pair of wheels, and further in theprovision of an auxiliary support means to provide a first three pointsupport for the apparatus, and a specially arranged and oriented handlemeans which cooperates with the wheels to provide a second three pointsupport means.

With the arrangement as shown in the aforementioned patent, theapparatus is normally supported by a pair of wheels which are mountedfor rotation about an axis of rotation which extends substantiallyparallel with the axis of rotation of the gear wheel of the apparatus.The wheels cooperate with the feet 40 provided on the handle bars foraffording a four point support for the apparatus when it is disposed inits normal upstanding operative position.

With the arrangement shown in the aforementioned patent, it is necessaryto lift up on the rubber cap portions 41 as shown in the patent, to tipthe apparatus forwardly about the wheels disposed at the forwardmostportion of the apparatus. It is then necessary to hold the apparatus inthe elevated position while wheeling it from place to place. Thisoperation is rather awkward and requires considerable etfort on the partof personnel moving the apparatus from place to place.

In the arrangement of the present invention, the handle means is sodisposed that a simple downward pressure thereon pivots the supportingleg of the framework off of the ground so that the apparatus can bereadily wheeled 3,344,630 Patented Oct. 3, 1967 from place to placewhile holding it in one hand. The apparatus accordingly is easier tomaneuver and requires less elfort to move than the arrangement as shownin the aforementioned patent.

In the patented structure, the apparatus is of such a nature that it canonly be operated as a practical matter in an upright position whereinthe axis of rotation of the gear wheel thereof is disposed substantiallyhorizontal or parallel With the supporting surface. In certainapplications, it is desirable to place the apparatus in such a positionthat the axis of rotation of the driving means or gear Wheel is disposedsubstantially vertical or perpendicular to a supporting surface. It isnot feasible to so position the apparatus as shown in the aforementionedpatent since the construction thereof prevents it from being effectivelypositioned into such a relationship. Firstly, the support means is suchthat it is extremely diflicult to tip the apparatus to one side, and infact the apparatus is specifically designed to prevent such tippingmovement. Secondly, there is no means for providing either a three orfour point support which would ensure that the axis of rotation of thegear wheel is truly vertical, but rather it would be canted at an angleto the supporting surface other than the perpendicular relationship.

The arrangement of the present invention provides a unique orientationbetween the axis of rotation of the gear wheel or driving means and theaxis of rotation of the wheel support means. The wheels are mounted forrotation about an axis which extends in a direction which issubstantially perpendicular to that of the axis of rotation of the gearwheel. This of course is quite different from the arrangement shown inthe aforementioned patent. An auxiliary support means in the form of aleg member is provided which extends obliquely downwardly from thesupport frame of the apparatus of the present invention and affords incombination with the wheels a first three point support wherein theapparatus is disposed in its normal upright operating position with theaxis of rotation of the gear wheel substantially parallel with thesupporting surface.

In addition, the handle means of the present invention extends obliquelyupwardly from the support frame at the opposite side of the frame fromthe leg member, and the terminal end of the handle is so oriented thatit is adapted to cooperate with the wheels to provide a second threepoint support arrangement wherein when so supported the axis of rotationof the gear wheel or drive means is disposed substantially vertical orperpendicular to the supporting surface.

In addition, it is quite easy to move the apparatus into either of itsthree point support positions since the entire frame pivots about theaxis of rotation of the wheels whereby the frame can be very readilypivoted from one position to the other with a minimum of effort and thesupport means including the two wheels, the leg member and the end ofthe handle provide a very effective and stable three point support forthe frame in either position as described above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novelportable conduit bender which is more readily portable and easier tomaneuver than prior art structures.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable conduitbender incorporating a support arrangement which permits the apparatusto be supported in either of two positions upon a three point supportand such that the apparatus is positioned either generally vertically orhorizontally so that bending operations can be carried out in eitherposition so as to permit the apparatus to be employed in certain areaswhere there is restricted space in one direction or another.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable conduitbender wherein the support arrangement permits the apparatus to bereadily and easily moved into either of the two three point supportpositions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a portable conduitbender which is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yetwhich is quite efiicient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent when considered in connection with the specification andaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the portable conduit bender of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the upper portion of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1 looking from the opposite side thereof and illustratingthe handle means in an exploded position; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 illustrating itsother three point support position.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the portableconduit bender includes a frame indicated generally by reference numeral10. This frame may be cast from malleable iron or other suitable metaland may be substantially similar to the frame shown in theaforementioned patent. The frame includes a boxlike base portion 12 andan upright extending portion 14. An axle 16 is connected with the baseportion 12 and extends from opposite sides thereof, a pair of wheels 18being mounted at opposite ends of the axle and held in place by suitableconventional means. Wheels 18 are mounted for rotation about an axis ofrotation indicated by line X-X as seen most clearly in FIG. 1 of thedrawmgs.

Base portion 12 is provided with a fitting 20 which is adapted toreceive one end portion of an auxiliary support means or leg member 22.The opposite support end 24 of leg member 22 is adapted to rest upon asuitable supporting surface, and is provided with a hole 26 therethroughfor receiving a suitable attaching means if it is desired to secure thisleg member to the supported surface. A set screw 30 is threaded within asuitable hole provided in fitting 20 for securing the upper end of legmember 22 within a receiving opening in fitting 20.

It will be noted as seen in FIG. 1 that the two wheels 18 and thesupport end portion 24 of leg member 22 provide a three point supportfor the apparatus, and when the apparatus is so supported, it isdisposed in an upright position as shown with the axis X-X disposedsubstantially parallel with the supporting surface. This positionrepresents the normal operating position of the conduit bender, and thethree point support is such as to provide a very stable arrangement.

A reversible electric motor 34 is supported within the base portion 12of the frame, and a motor cover 36 is secured to the frame to provideaccess to the motor when removed. A gear box (not shown) containingsuitable reduction gearing is supported within the base portion 12 ofthe frame alongside motor 34, the gear box including an output gearpinion which drives a gear wheel 40. This driving arrangement issubstantially identical with that shown in the aforementioned patent.Gear wheel 40 is supported for rotation about an axis of rotationindicated by line YY in FIG. 1, and it will be noted that this axis ofrotation extends in a direction which is substantially perpendicular tothat of axis X-X previously described.

Gear wheel 40 is protected by a gear cover 42 secured to the frame, gearcover 42 having a cutout portion 44 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

A straight lever extends across the gear wheel 40 and is pivotallyconnected with the gear wheel by a pivot pin indicated by referencenumeral 52. The other end of the lever extends through the cutoutportion 44 formed in the gear cover and is formed with an enlargedlaterally offset yoke 54, U-shaped in cross section, formed integrallytherewith and extending over and closely spaced from the teeth of thegear wheel. A roller 56 is disposed in the yoke between its side wallsand is rotatably supported on a stub shaft 58 supported between thewalls of the yoke, the roller having a groove 60 formed in the outerperiphery thereof which is substantially semi-circular in crosssectional configuration. This structural arrangement is substantiallyidentical with that disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

An anvil portion 66 in the form of a segment of a circular plate is castat the upper portion of the frame, and a pair of supporting levers 68,one on each side of the anvil portion, are provided, each lever 68having one end pivotally fastened to the anvil by means of a pivot pin70, and having the opposite end thereof pivotally connected with aprotruding end of the stub shaft 58. With this arrangement, it isapparent that the roller member 56 is supported by the lever meansincluding portions 50 and 68 such that the roller means is adapted tomove in an arcuate path upon rotation of the gear wheel 40.

Shoe means 72 is supported by anvil portion 66, the shoe means beingprovided with an arcuate groove in the outer surface thereof which mayalso be of semicircular cross sectional configuration, the grooveprovided in the shoe means being disposed in alignment with the groovein the roller means such that the roller means and the shoe means cancooperate during operation of the apparatus to confine a conduittherebetween and to bend the conduit into the desired configuration.

The rear end of the anvil portion 66 joins with a vertically disposedhollow bearing block portion formed at the uppermost part of theupwardly extending portion 14 of the frame. The block has asquare-shaped opening therein and a pipe supporting member 82 includes asquare portion which fits within the squareshaped opening within thebearing block 80 to prevent relative rotation between these components.The pipe supporting member 82 has a curved lower portion 84 providing asubstantially semi-circular seat which is adapted to support a suitableconduit therewithin. The upper portion of pipe or conduit supportingmember 82 comprises an externally screw-threaded shank portion 86 ofreduced dimension. A nut member 88 includes an elongated cylindricalbody portion which has a threaded hole therein for receiving shank 86and a handle portion at the upper part thereof. Upon rotation of nutmember 88, the pipe or conduit supporting member 82 is moved up or downin order to adjust the seat thereof relative to the grooves provided inthe roller and shoe means. It will be noted that the seat provided inthe lower end of the pipe supporting member is disposed in the sameplane as the grooves provided in the shoe means and the roller means.

Length gage means is provided and includes an elongated tubular member90 having a fiat stop pad 92 secured at one end thereof. Tubular member90 is received within a stop clamp 94 having an inner surface ofcomplementary configuration to the tubular member, the tubular memberalso being received within arcuate portions formed on the outer surfaceof the gear cover 42. A stop clamp knob 96 is threaded into a suitablethreaded hole provided in the gear cover for urging the stop clamptightly against member 90 to hold it in a desired operative adjustedposition.

A conduit to be bent is indicated by reference numeral 98, this piece ofpipe or conduit being supported by member 82 and being received withinthe groove 72' provided in the outer periphnry of shoe means 72. The endof the conduit portion 98 is in abutting relationship to the stop pad 92for adjusting the amount of conduit extending beyond the shoe means androller means to thereby determine the position at which the bend will beplaced in the conduit.

The electric switching mechanism for controlling the operation of motor34 is mounted within a compartment formed in the frame, the compartmentbeing closed by a cover 100 which is seen in FIG. 2, this cover beingheld in place by suitable screws 101. A service cord 102 extends intothe compartment formed in the frame which houses the switchingmechanism, this service cord being provided with a suitable plug forconnecting the apparatus with a source of electrical energy forenergizing motor 34. A switch knob 104 is connected with the switchingmechanism disposed within the compartment in the frame and permitsmanual operation of the switch mechanism from the exterior of theapparatus. This switching mechanism is substantially the same as thatshown in the aforementioned patent, except that the external manuallyoperable portion of the switching mechanism is slightly different.

In addition to the manually operable switch knob 104, a remotelyoperable foot control mechanism is indicated generally by referencenumeral 110 and includes a base portion 112 upon which is pivotallymounted a treadle portion 114. This treadle portion is adapted to beoperated by a persons foot and is operatively connected with a controlcable assembly 116 which is connected with the switch mechanism and isadapted to remotely control operation of the switch mechanism inaccordance with movement of the treadle 114.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, a handle means includes an elongatedmember 120, the lower end 122 of which is threaded and which is adaptedto be threaded into a cooperating threaded opening 124 provided in theframe. A hand grip member 126 formed of rubber or the like is securedabout the upper end of member 120, and the hand grip member includes aterminal end 128.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, the solid line position asindicated in this figure shows the manner in which the apparatus isadapted to be supported in a second three point support position whereinthe entire apparatus is supported by the two wheels 18 and by theterminal end 118 of the handle portion. It is apparent that theapparatus is readily moved into this position from the phantom lineupright position as seen in this figure and; which is shown in fulllines in FIG. 1.

It will be noted that in the position shown in FIG. 3, the axis ofrotation YY of the driving means of the apparatus is disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the supporting surface, while the axis ofrotation of the wheels still remains parallel with the supportingsurface. It is obvious as seen in FIG. 3 that when the apparatus issupported in this position, it has a considerably less verticaldimension which thereby permits the apparatus to be supported in areaswherein the vertical space may be restricted and which would prevent theapparatus from being supported in its upright position as shown in FIG.1.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according tothe present invention a new and novel portable conduit bender which ismore readily portable in that it is easier to maneuver and requires lesseffort to move from place to place. The apparatus may be readilymaneuvered by means of a single handle portion, and the apparatus isadapted to be supported either in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1wherein it is disposed substantially vertically or in a position at 90thereto as shown in FIG. 3 where it is disposed substantiallyhorizontally. In either operative position, the apparatus has a threepoint support means which provides a very stable arrangement and whichfurther permits the bending operation to be readily carried out ineither of the two operative positions. It is merely necessary to pivotthe apparatus about the wheels thereof from one operative position tothe other thereby facilitating such positioning of the apparatus. Theportable conduit bender is quite simple and inexpensive in construction,and yet is quite efiicient and reliable in operation.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changesthat fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form theirfunctional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are thereforeintended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. A portable conduit bender comprising a support frame, shoe meanssupported on said support frame, roller means, lever means connectedwith said roller means for moving the roller means relative to said shoemeans for cooperation therewith, rotatable drive means connected withsaid lever means for driving said roller means, said drive means beingmounted on said support frame for rotation about a first axis, andsupport means for supporting said support frame for movement over asupporting surface, said support means being rotatable about a secondaxis which is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

2. A portable conduit bender comprising a support frame, shoe meansmounted on said support frame and having a groove in the outer portionthereof for receiving a conduit, roller means having a peripheral grooveformed in the outer surface thereof, lever means supporting said rollermeans for rotation and movable for moving said roller means with respectto said shoe means during a bending operation, drive means operativelyconnected with said lever means, said drive means being rotatablysupported on said support frame for rotation about a first axis ofrotation such that rotation of the drive means causes movement of thelever means and the roller means to perform a bending operation, andsupport means including an axle for supporting said support frame, saidaxle having wheels rotatably mounted thereon, said wheels being mountedfor rotation about a second axis of rotation which extends in adirection substantially perpendicular to that of said first axis ofrotation.

3. A portable conduit bender comprising a support frame, shoe meanssupported by said support frame, roller means, lever means connectedwith said roller means for moving the roller means relative to said shoemeans and in operative cooperating relationship with respect thereto,drivev means rotatably supported by said support frame and beingconnected with said lever means for moving the lever means and theroller means upon rotation of said drive means, said drive means beingmounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation, support means forthe support frame and including an elongated axle having a pair ofspaced wheels rotatably supported thereon, said wheels being mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation which extends in a directionwhich is substantially perpendicular to that of said first axis ofrotation, and auxiliary support means connected with said support frameand extending therefrom to terminate in a support portion whichcooperates with said Wheels to provide a three point support for thesupport frame such that when the three point support is operative withrespect to a supporting surface, said first and second axes of rotationextend substantially parallel with the supporting surface.

4. A portable conduit bender comprising a support frame, shoe meanssupported by said support frame, roller means, lever means connectedwith said roller means for moving the roller means relative to said shoemeans and in operative cooperating relationship with respect thereto,drive means rotatably supported by said support frame and beingconnected with said lever means for moving the lever means and theroller means upon rotation of said drive means, said drive means beingmounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation, support means forthe support frame and including an elongated I axle having a pair ofspaced wheels rotatably supported thereon, said wheels being mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation which extends in a directionwhich is substantially perpendicular to that of said first axis ofrotation, and means extending from said frame and terminating in an endportion which is adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and tocooperate with said wheels to provide a three point support for theframe such that when the frame is supported on such three point support,said first axis of rotation extends substantially perpendicular to saidsupport surface and said second axis of rotation extends substantiallyparallel with said support surface.

5. A portable conduit bender comprising a support frame, shoe meanssupported by said support frame, roller means, lever means connectedwith said roller means for moving the roller means relative to said shoemeans and in operative cooperating relationship with respect thereto,drive means rotatably supported by said support frame and beingconnected with said lever means for moving the lever means and theroller means upon rotation of said drive means, said drive means beingmounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation, support means forthe support frame and including an elongated axle having a pair ofspaced wheels rotatably supported thereon, said wheels being mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation which extends in a directionwhich is substantially perpendicular to that of said first axis ofrotation, auxiliary support means comprising a leg member extendingobliquely from said support frame and including a support end portionadapted to rest upon a support surface to provide a three point supportfor the frame with said first and second axes of rotation extendingsubstantially parallel with said support surface, and handle meansextending obliquely from said frame and terminating in an end portionadapted to rest upon a support surface to provide a second three pointsupport for the frame such that when the frame is supported upon saidsecond three point support, said first axis of rotation extendssubstantially perpendicular to the support surface and said second axisof rotation extends substantially parallel with said support surface.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim wherein said auxiliary support meansextends outwardly from one side of said frame and said handle meansextends outwardly from the opposite side of said frame, said shoe meansand said roller means being mounted on the same side of the frame assaid auxiliary support means.

7. A portable conduit bender comprising a support frame, a conduitsupporting member adjustably supported by said frame and adapted toreceive a conduit to be bent, shoe means supported by said frame andhaving a curved groove formed in the outer surface thereof, roller meanshaving a peripheral groove formed therein, lever means including a firstportion pivotally connected with said frame, said lever means rotatablysupporting said roller means for movement in cooperative relationshipwith respect to said shoe means, a gear wheel mounted for rotation onsaid support frame about a first axis of rotation, said gear wheel beingpivotally connected with a second portion of said lever means wherebyrotation of said gear wheel causes movement of said lever means and saidroller means to perform a bending operation, support means including anelongated axle operatively connected with said support frame, a pair ofwheels supported at opposite ends of said axle such that said wheels aremounted for rotation about an axis of rotation which extends in adirection which is substantially perpendicular to that of said firstaxis of rotation, auxiliary support means comprising a leg memberextending outwardly of said support frame and terminating in a supportend portion which is adapted to cooperate with said wheels to provide afirst three point support for said frame, said frame being supported bysaid first three point support on a support surface such that said firstand second axes of rotation extend substantially parallel with thesupport surface, and handle means extending outwardly from said frameand terminating in an end portion adapted to cooperate with said wheelsto provide a second three point support for said frame, said secondthree point support adapted to support the frame upon a supportingsurface such that said first axis of rotation extends substantiallyperpendicular to the support surface and said second axis of rotationextends substantially parallel with the support surface, said handlemeans and said auxiliary support means extending in opposite directionsfrom said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,740,607 4/1956 Branick 2542.4 X2,921,619 1/1960 Bank 722 3,238,762 3/1966 Maring 113-56 X RICHARD J.HERBST, Primary Examiner.

R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PORTABLE CONDUIT BENDER COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME, SHOE MEANSSUPPORTED ON SAID SUPPORT FRAME, ROLLER MEANS, LEVER MEANS CONNECTEDWITH SAID ROLLER MEANS FOR MOVING THE ROLLER MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID SHOEMEANS FOR COOPERATION THEREWITH, ROTATABLE DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED WITHSAID LEVER MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID ROLLER MEANS, SAID DRIVE MEANS BEINGMOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FRAME FOR ROTATION ABOUT A FIRST AXIS, ANDSUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID SUPPORT FRAME FOR MOVEMENT OVER ASUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING ROTATABLE ABOUT A SECONDAXIS WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST AXIS.